The Power of Color Palettes

Color palettes do transform interior spaces, help create ambiance, and have a different effect on people’s mood and feelings.

Actually, a coat of paint is the easiest and most affordable way to lend any space a new, entirely different look.

In order to create balanced, cohesive, appealing interiors, designers advise sticking to the 60-30-10 rule, which means to choose three colors and use them as dominant/60%/, secondary/30%/, and accent/10%/ colors. Usually, the dominant color is applied to walls and ceilings, the secondary – to furniture, upholstery, bedding, and window treatment, and the accent color is commonly introduced by throw pillows, artwork, and accessories.

Another designers’ piece of advice is to combine warm and cold colors, such as yellows/warm/ and greens and blues/cold/.

Opt for complementary and analogous colors, they help create truly adorable, impressive spaces. Note that complementary are the colors that are opposite to each other on the color wheel, such as red and green. Analogous, on the other hand, are these colors that are next to each other, such as yellow and orange.

Color experts have developed a theory, which explains the way color schemes affect people’s mood and feelings. Furthermore, they have come up with a whole bunch of advice which color to use as to give a space the look we want.

However, work with colors you truly love and make you feel happy, after all it is your living space.

1. Monochromatic Interiors. Tints, Shades, and Tones.

Note that any hue can be darkened with black to make a shade or lightened with white to make a tint. When dulled with gray, any color makes a tone.

Using different shades, tints, and tones, from light to dark, of one single color helps create monochromatic interiors. Being inherently balanced, when approached with creativity, monochromatic spaces are far from boring, just on the contrary, they can be elegant, sophisticated, peaceful, or dramatic.

Any color can be used to create a monochromatic space, just choose a hue you like or makes you feel happy or relaxed and work with its shades, tints, and tones.

Monochromatic designs work well with any style, from traditional to contemporary and ultramodern.

In the picture above, a bedroom with a feminine vibe. Incorporating different shades, tones, and tints of gray, from pale to charcoal, this space exudes elegance and sophistication. It is inviting and charming and has tons of personality.

When it comes to monochromatic spaces, always consider adding a variety of textures and patterns, they help add visual interest and softness. Other ways to create visual interest and appeal in monochromatic spaces are to incorporate some color accents and reflective surfaces.

Monochromatic interiors in neutral colors/ black, gray, white, and brown/ make neutral living spaces. Flexible and appealing, such spaces are often a favorite design choice, and with reason. When it comes to adding pops of color to enliven a room, a neutral background is the easiest to work with. Furthermore, neutral spaces offer an affordable opportunity to always follow color trends by incorporating small-scale décor items in the on-trend hues.

In the picture above, a sophisticated neutral living room in beige. A fireplace filled with firewood and exposed wood add warmth and coziness to this space with comfortable seating arrangements and adequate natural light. Art pieces bring extra visual appeal and interest. A stunning chandelier and floor lamps provide artificial light. Definitely a jaw-dropping space!

As for interiors in black and white, when these two colors are used together, they usually create sophisticated, chic spaces with a timeless look. Actually, this classic color combo works well in any room and design style.

On a side note, when it comes to adding touches of drama and sophistication to any space, always consider adding some black décor items. Furthermore, black enhances other colors in the space.

2. Interiors with Analogous Colors

Colors neighboring on the color wheel are analogous. Using analogous colors helps create colorful yet harmonious spaces, which can be from subtle and sophisticated to bold and dramatic, it all depends on the chosen colors and/or their tints, shades, and tones.

Actually, when it comes to analogous color schemes, any three colors on the color wheel can be used, just make a choice and stick to the 60-30-10 rule for dominant, secondary, and accent colors. Whether red, red-orange, and orange, orange or violet, red-violet, and red, green, blue-green, blue, and blue-violet, yellow, yellow-green, and green, warm or cold, analogous colors make a vibrant, adorable palette, which works well in any space, traditional or contemporary. Although adjacent colors could sometimes lend a room a slightly monochromatic look, generally, interiors in an analogous color scheme are harmonious, soothing, and fascinating.

However, working with more than three to four consecutive colors can create visual confusion and spaces could look chaotic and overwhelming.

Above shown is a fascinating living room. This space in blue, blue-violet, and violet is so chic and sophisticated! Subdued colors, flower arrangements, and wall art lend the room a feminine look.

3. Interiors with Complementary Colors

As already mentioned, colors or their tints, shades, and tones opposite to each other on the color wheel are complementary. They enhance each other and always work well together. This is an easy-to-use technique, which helps create adorable interior spaces. When tints and shades of the two main colors are added, rooms get a look with more depth and tons of personality. Usually, color schemes with complementary colors are used to lend a room a more formal look.

Note that to avoid overdoing, commonly one of the colors plays a dominant role and the other just complements the look with subtle hints.

Exemplary spaces created by using complementary colors are these in red and green, yellow and blue, and yellow and purple.

In the picture above, a fascinating kitchen in yellow and blue. Different shades and tints of yellow introduced by wall paint, cabinetry, and bar stools are the perfect background for a stunning backsplash in blue. Flowers add extra color and freshness.

Ivo is the owner of Decorhomeideas.com – he started the site back in 2013, when he was still working in a Home Decor company, but the passion for interior design and decorations lead to creating the site and following his own dream of creating a great Home Decor, DIY and Gardening online-magazine.